In the verses from Mark's Gospel, Jesus is disgusted by the hypocritical Pharisees, who start arguing with Him asking for a sign from heaven to test Him, after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes.
All this causes a deep disappointment in Christ.
Francis of Assisi followed Jesus not because of the wonders that the Lord performed but by Faith; won over by his Gospel, by the Beatitudes enunciated on the Mount, by his having died and risen again - for him.
This had attracted him and made him fall in love with the bare Gospel parable, without 'ifs' and 'buts'.
The Sources, the jewel of the Franciscan path, help us to understand.
"Therefore all those who saw the Lord Jesus according to humanity, but did not see or believe, according to the spirit and divinity, that he is the true Son of God, are condemned.
And so now all those who see the sacrament, which is sanctified through the words of the Lord above the altar in the hands of the priest, under the species of bread and wine, and do not see nor believe, according to the spirit and divinity, that he is truly the most holy body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, are condemned, for it is The Most High Himself who bears witness to this, when He says:
"This is my body and blood of the new covenant [which will be shed for many], and again:
'Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life'" (FF 142).
If the Presence of the Son of God is not enough to make one believe, what other sign can be given to this generation?
Francis' faith is the best response to worldly insipience.
"And the Lord gave me so much faith in the churches, that I simply prayed and said:
"We adore you, Lord Jesus Christ, even in all your churches which are throughout the whole world, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world" (FF 111 - Testament of St Francis).
This is the only Sign!
«And He groaning in His spirit says: "Why does this generation seek a sign?» (Mk 8:12a)
Monday, 6th wk. in O.T. (Mk 8,11-13)